Olefin polymerization process

Abstract

A process for polymerizing olefins is disclosed. The process uses an organometallic complex with at least one non-bridged indenoindolyl ligand bonded to M. The substituent on the indole nitrogen contains an atom selected from the group consisting of S, O, P, and N. Polyolefins from the process have unexpectedly high molecular weight compared with polyolefins made using similar supported indenoindolyl complexes.

1. A process which comprises polymerizing an olefin in the presence of an activator and an organometallic complex, wherein the organometallic complex comprises a Group 3 to 10 transition metal, M, and at least one non-bridged indenoindolyl ligand that is bonded to M wherein the indenoindolyl ligand has a structure selected from the group consisting of: 
                 
 
       in which R 1  is a C 2 -C 30  radical containing an atom selected from the group consisting of S, O, P, and N; and each R 2  is independently selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 30  hydrocarbyl, H, F, Cl, and Br. 
     
     
       2. The process of  claim 1  wherein the Group 3 to 10 transition metal is a Group 4 transition metal. 
     
     
       3. The process of  claim 1  wherein the activator is selected from the group consisting of alumoxanes, alkylaluminum compounds, organoboranes, ionic borates, ionic aluminates, aluminoboronates, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       4. The process of  claim 1  wherein the organometallic complex is combined with a support material and some or all of the activator is premixed with the organometallic complex prior to addition to the support material. 
     
     
       5. The process of  claim 1  wherein the olefin is selected from the group consisting of ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
       6. The process of  claim 5  wherein the olefin is ethylene in combination with a second olefin selected from the group consisting of 1-butene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene. 
     
     
       7. The process of  claim 1  wherein R 1  contains an ether group. 
     
     
       8. The process of  claim 1  wherein R 1  contains a tertiary amine group. 
     
     
       9. The process of  claim 1  wherein R 1  contains an aromatic ring substituted with an ether group. 
     
     
       10. The process of  claim 1  wherein the complex is supported on silica. 
     
     
       11. The process of  claim 1  wherein the polymerization is performed at a temperature within the range of about 30° C. to about 100° C. 
     
     
       12. A slurry polymerization process of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       13. A gas-phase polymerization process of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       14. The process of  claim 1  wherein the organometallic has a structure selected from the group consisting of: 
                 
 
       wherein M is a Group 3 to 10 transition metal; each L is independently selected from the group consisting of halide, alkoxy, aryloxy, siloxy, alkylamino, and C 1 -C 30  hydrocarbyl; L′ is selected from the group consisting of alkylamido, substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl, fluorenyl, indenyl, boraaryl, pyrrolyl, azaborolinyl and indenoindolyl; x satisfies the valence of M; R 1  is a C 2 -C 30  radical containing an atom selected from the group consisting of S, O, P, and N; and each R 2  is independently selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 30  hydrocarbyl, H, F, Cl, and Br. 
     
     
       15. The process of  claim 14  wherein L′ is selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl, fluorenyl, indenyl, and indenoindolyl. 
     
     
       16. The process of  claim 14  wherein R 1  contains an aromatic ring substituted with an ether group.